CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 69

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1433

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1433, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the distribution system of sterile needles and syringes under the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program from a one-to-one exchange system to a needs-based distribution system;

(2) Authorize non-injection drug user participation in the Program; and

(3) Modify liability for program participants, staff, and law enforcement officers.

Your Committee on Conference finds that syringe exchange programs prevent human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne infections; are cost effective; reduce drug use and drug overdoses; protect the public and first responders by providing safe syringe disposal; and do not cause or increase illegal drug use or other crimes. Your Committee on Conference further finds that while the State's Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program has been a highly effective public health intervention, research has found that needs-based syringe distribution is more effective than a one-to-one exchange model, which restricts syringe access by limiting the number of sterile syringes and needles an individual can receive to the number of used syringes and needles they have to return. This measure provides critical improvements to the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program to increase its effectiveness and impact.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1433, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1433, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Chair
____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair